Days Until Black Friday 2026
Find out exactly how many days until Black Friday! Our live countdown shows days, weeks, hours, and minutes until November 27, 2026. Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, falling the day after Thanksgiving. Whether you're hunting for electronics deals, planning your holiday gift shopping, or just curious about the countdown, our calculator keeps you informed.
- Black Friday 2026: Friday, November 27, 2026
- Thanksgiving 2026: Thursday, November 26, 2026
- What it is: The biggest shopping day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving
- Federal holiday: No — but many employers give the day off
- Cyber Monday 2026: Monday, November 30, 2026
- Related: Days until Thanksgiving · Days until Christmas
Black Friday Dates 2024-2030
Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November). Here are the upcoming dates:
| Year | Black Friday | Thanksgiving | Days Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 29 | November 28 | Past |
| 2025 | November 28 | November 27 | Past |
| 2026 | November 27 | November 26 | — |
| 2027 | November 26 | November 25 | — |
| 2028 | November 24 | November 23 | — |
| 2029 | November 23 | November 22 | — |
| 2030 | November 29 | November 28 | — |
Black Friday 2026 Shopping Weekend
Black Friday kicks off a five-day shopping bonanza. Here's the full 2026 shopping weekend schedule:
| Day | Date | What It Is | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving Day (federal holiday) | Early online deals begin in the evening |
| Black Friday | Friday, Nov 27 | Biggest shopping day of the year | Doorbuster deals, electronics, major retailers |
| Small Business Saturday | Saturday, Nov 28 | Support local businesses | Local shops, boutiques, independent stores |
| Sunday | Sunday, Nov 29 | Extended weekend deals | Online clearance, remaining inventory deals |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, Nov 30 | Biggest online shopping day | Tech deals, online-only offers, free shipping |
Black Friday by the Numbers
Black Friday is a massive economic event. Here are the key statistics according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and industry reports:
| Statistic | Number | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Online sales (Black Friday) | ~$9.8 billion | US online spending on Black Friday alone |
| Cyber Monday sales | ~$12.4 billion | The largest online shopping day of the year |
| Total weekend shoppers | 200+ million | Americans who shop Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday |
| Average savings | 30-50% | Typical discount range on Black Friday deals |
| Average spending per person | ~$325 | Average amount spent over the shopping weekend |
| In-store shoppers | ~76 million | People who shop at physical stores on Black Friday |
| Mobile shopping share | ~48% | Percentage of online orders placed via smartphones |
| Top category: Electronics | ~40% | Most popular Black Friday purchase category |
| Returns rate | ~16% | Items purchased on Black Friday that are returned |
Black Friday Shopping Tips
Make the most of Black Friday 2026 with these expert shopping strategies:
- Start your research early: Begin tracking prices 2-3 weeks before Black Friday. Use price tracking tools and browser extensions like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Honey to know if a "deal" is genuinely a good price or just marketing.
- Make a list and set a budget: Impulse buying is the biggest trap on Black Friday. Decide what you need before the sales start, set a firm budget for each item, and stick to it. If something wasn't on your list, sleep on it before purchasing.
- Compare online and in-store prices: Most major retailers now price-match their own online and in-store deals, but some doorbuster specials may be exclusive to one channel. Check both options before committing.
- Use cashback apps and credit card rewards: Stack your savings by using cashback apps (Rakuten, Ibotta), shopping through reward portals, and paying with credit cards that offer extra holiday cashback. This can add an extra 3-10% in savings.
- Know the return policies: Black Friday purchases often have extended return windows for the holiday season, but some "final sale" items cannot be returned. Check the return policy before buying, especially for electronics.
Black Friday 2026 Shopping Timeline
Maximize your savings by knowing when to act:
| When | Date (2026) | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks before | October 30 | Start tracking prices on wish list items, sign up for retailer email lists for early access |
| 2 weeks before | November 13 | Review leaked Black Friday ads, compare prices across retailers, finalize your shopping list |
| 1 week before | November 20 | Early Black Friday sales begin at many retailers, set up accounts and save payment info for faster checkout |
| Thanksgiving evening | November 26 | Many online deals go live at 5 PM ET, preview in-store deals on retailer apps |
| Black Friday morning | November 27 | Doorbuster deals start at midnight or 5-6 AM, peak savings on electronics and TVs |
| Black Friday afternoon | November 27 | Second wave of deals drops, in-store crowds thin out, online deals refresh |
| Cyber Monday | November 30 | Best online-only deals, especially on tech, software, and subscription services |
Top Black Friday Retailers
These retailers consistently offer the best Black Friday deals according to consumer spending data from the National Retail Federation:
| Retailer | Best Deals On | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Electronics, smart home, toys, everything | Lightning deals every 5 minutes; use Prime for free shipping |
| Walmart | TVs, toys, electronics, home goods | In-store specials often beat online; deals start online first |
| Best Buy | TVs, laptops, appliances, gaming | Price match guarantee; open early for doorbusters |
| Target | Clothing, toys, home decor, kitchen | REDcard gets 5% extra off; strong competitor price matching |
| Costco | Large appliances, TVs, bulk items | Member-only pricing; strong warranties included |
| Home Depot | Tools, appliances, smart home | Pro-grade tools at consumer prices; free delivery over $45 |
| Kohl's | Clothing, small appliances, bedding | Stack Kohl's Cash with coupons for 50%+ off |
| Macy's | Clothing, jewelry, fragrances | Doorbusters from 5 AM; strong clearance section |
What NOT to Buy on Black Friday
Some items are actually better deals at other times of the year. Consumer experts recommend avoiding these on Black Friday:
- Winter clothing: Wait until January clearance sales for 60-80% off (vs. 30-40% on Black Friday)
- Exercise equipment: Best deals are in January when retailers target New Year's resolution shoppers
- Mattresses: Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Presidents' Day offer better mattress sales
- Furniture: January, July, and holiday weekends typically offer better furniture deals
- Wedding items: Wait for after-Valentine's Day sales in late February
- Jewelry: Unless buying for Christmas, wait for post-holiday sales in January
- "Doorbuster" TVs: Some retailers create special Black Friday models with lower specs — check model numbers
Pro tip: Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel (Amazon), Honey, or Google Shopping to verify you're getting a real deal, not just a "sale" on an inflated price.
History of Black Friday
The term "Black Friday" has an interesting origin according to History.com:
- 1950s: Philadelphia police first used "Black Friday" to describe the chaotic day after Thanksgiving when suburban shoppers flooded the city before the Army-Navy football game.
- 1960s: Retailers tried to rename it "Big Friday" (unsuccessfully) to remove negative connotations.
- 1980s: Retailers rebranded the meaning, claiming it was when stores moved from "in the red" (losses) to "in the black" (profits). This origin story, while popular, is not historically accurate.
- 2005: "Cyber Monday" was coined by the National Retail Federation to encourage online shopping the Monday after Thanksgiving.
- 2010s: Black Friday sales began creeping into Thanksgiving evening, with some stores opening at 6 PM or earlier on Thursday.
- 2020s: Online shopping now dominates, with many retailers offering identical online and in-store prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
The countdown above shows the exact number of days until Black Friday 2026 (November 27, 2026). The number updates automatically each day. You can also see the breakdown in weeks, hours, weekdays, and weekend days.
Black Friday 2026 is on Friday, November 27, 2026. It is always the day after Thanksgiving, which is the fourth Thursday in November. Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26.
No, Black Friday is not an official US federal holiday. However, many employers give workers the day off as part of the extended Thanksgiving weekend. Some state governments observe the day after Thanksgiving as a state holiday. Retail workers, however, are among the busiest on this day.
The best Black Friday deals are typically found on: TVs (often 40-60% off), laptops and tablets (20-40% off), smart home devices (30-50% off), gaming consoles and games, clothing (40-60% off), and small kitchen appliances. Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target consistently offer the deepest discounts.
Both options have advantages. In-store shopping offers exclusive doorbuster deals and the ability to physically inspect products. Online shopping provides convenience, easier price comparison, and avoidance of crowds. In recent years, most retailers offer identical deals online and in-store. Online shopping has been growing, with about 48% of purchases now made via mobile devices.
Cyber Monday 2026 is Monday, November 30, 2026. Many Cyber Monday deals actually begin on Sunday evening. Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day of the year, with sales of approximately $12.4 billion. It focuses primarily on online-only deals, especially tech products, software, and subscription services.
Many retailers now begin "Early Black Friday" sales up to two weeks before the actual day. Major online deals often go live on Thanksgiving evening (around 5 PM ET). Traditional in-store doorbuster deals start at midnight or 5-6 AM on Black Friday itself. The best strategy is to start watching for deals the week before Thanksgiving.